For the past 11 days I’ve been feeling great. Positive energy and attitude and then today, boom! Uncontrollable crying for what seems like no reason.
I’m sure there is a reason but I can’t pinpoint what it is. 
8 Likes
I understand this completely . I’m 5 months in and I’m an emotional rollercoaster. I believe it’s called acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. You deal with the physical withdrawal which is the shakes the hot flashes and everything else . And then comes the mental withdraw . Your brain is trying to level it self out .. get that chemical balance back in check after the alcohol disrupted it . I know I will feel intensely happy and nothing can bring me
Down and then I have days that I just cry and feel down for no reason . I try to medicate or go for walk to get myself out of the head space but someone times I just let myself feel it . After years of numbing emotions with alcohol it feels foreign to have to sit with them and work through it in a healthy way . You got this 
. It gets better one day at a time
2 Likes
Dealing with life without booze is definitely challenging!! But we did it before…. So we shall do it again!
3 Likes
I noticed today is 1 year and 11 days. I remember what that was like a year ago. And It gets much, much better. You’re on an awesome path of self-ownership and getting to know yourself differently. Find your systems, and stick to them.
2 Likes
Congrats! The emotional rollercoaster tends to stabilize in my experience. Keep it goin!
2 Likes
Just piggybacking on what Katie was saying. The years of using /drinking disrupts our neurochemistry, especially dopamine and serotonin. Normies experience a dopamine release into their synapses after accomplishments and everyday positive experiences Unfortunately, many of us have trained our brains to only experience this dopamine release with use /drinking and when that's gone that system has to take a while to recalibrate. Also, our diets suffer during heavy use and we don't have the nutrients/precursors to even make enough of some neurotransmitters in some cases. So there is a lag once sober and eating healthy. Eventually, we experience these pathways returning to functionality as wild emotion, kind of sporadic and out of nowhere sometimes. It's a good sign you are progressing toward health...I don't know if there's really anyway around it. Absolutely focus on sobriety through this return of emotion. I know it's easier said than done. These emotions become less extreme as you continue sobriety of course. Good luck
Strength and Serenity
3 Likes
PAWS=Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. It’s definitely a “thing.” Be kind to yourself and give yourself some grace. 
2 Likes
I totally get this. My emotions were a mess. I remember reading a book to keep my mind busy and having a panic attack because I was so wound up. I found I had to give myself some grace. You are basically recalibrating your nervous system so of course you're going to feel somethings and react in random ways. Keep your head up you got this.
1 Like
Tanya, your brain has been chemically altered from alcohol for a time…your mood swings are due to the readjustment of the chemical balance in your brain….your feelings are over the top and more intense during this re-balancing. Exercise decreases the length of time this process takes. Be gentle on yourself as this WILL pass….become amazing! Keith Kayle
1 Like
11 days...going on 12...
1 Like